Indonesia accepts Singapore's offer of haze assistance package

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan says his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi indicated on Wednesday evening (Oct 7) that Jakarta will accept Singapore's offer of assets and personnel to fight forest fires.
Channel NewsAsia 7 Oct 15;

SINGAPORE: Indonesia has accepted Singapore's offer for a haze assistance package to deal with forest fires, Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan announced on Wednesday (Oct 7).

Dr Balakrishnan said on Facebook that this was conveyed to him by Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi whom he had a good discussion with on Wednesday evening. "Good for our countries to work together to resolve this as soon as possible," Dr Balakrishnan added.

Indonesia's government had earlier accepted Singapore's offer of assistance on Sep 11, only to change its stance days later, saying it was beefing up resources to tackle the forest fires on its own. Vice-President Jusuf Kalla was later quoted as saying to Singapore: "Please come if you want to help. Don't just talk."

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) earlier sent a formal request to the government of Indonesia for the names of the companies suspected of contributing to haze pollution.

MFA said the move was in response to a request by Ms Siti Nurbaya, who said that if Singapore wanted the names of these companies to be officially sent to it, it had to be done through the Government-to-Government channel.

“We look forward to an early response from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on our requests so that we can take the necessary action against those who are responsible for the haze,” the MFA said.

The request was sent via the Indonesian embassy in Singapore, the MFA said. In the same note to the embassy, Singapore again reiterated its haze assistance offer to Indonesia of:

A C-130 aircraft for cloud seeding operations;
Up to two C-130 aircraft to ferry a fire-fighting assistance team from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF);
A team from SCDF to provide assessment and planning assistance;
High resolution satellite pictures and hotspot coordinates; and
A Chinook helicopter with one heli-bucket under-slung, subject to their operational availability.
“Singapore stands ready to assist Indonesia in its haze combatting and fire-fighting efforts,” MFA said.

Neighbouring Malaysia has also offered to assist Indonesia in putting out forest fires after hundreds of its schools were shut across the nation due to the choking haze.

- CNA/cy


Indonesia indicates it will accept Singapore’s offer to help fight haze
Today Online 8 Oct 15;

SINGAPORE — Indonesia has indicated it will now take up Singapore’s offer to help fight the ongoing haze, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Facebook today (Oct 7).

Jakarta had declined Singapore’s assistance package several times since the smog descended last month, saying it has the resources to manage.

But Dr Balakrishnan wrote last night that his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi has now indicated Jakarta will take up the offer following a “good discussion” the pair had this evening. “Good for our countries to work together to resolve this as soon as possible,” he added.

Singapore’s assistance package includes assets and personnel, such as a C-130 aircraft for cloud-seeding operations, a Chinook helicopter with a water bucket for aerial fire-fighting, and up to two C-130 aircraft to ferry the Singapore Civil Defence Force fire-fighting assistance team. In addition, Singapore also offered to provide high-resolution satellite pictures and hotspot coordinates.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement that the Indonesian government had yet to turn over the names of errant companies suspected of playing a part in causing the haze that has plagued Singapore since last month.

A formal request for the names of these companies was sent to the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore, the ministry added.

“This was in response to the request by the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister, Ms Siti Nurbaya Bakar, who had previously said that if Singapore wanted the names of these companies to be officially sent to it, then this had to be done through the Government-to-Government channel,” an MFA spokesperson said.

“We look forward to an early response from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on our requests so that we can take the necessary action against those who are responsible for the haze.” In its note to the Indonesia embassy, Singapore also reiterated its haze assistance.

Air quality and visibility improved significantly today, thanks to rain in the early morning. As at 7pm, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading was 86 to 108, the three-hour PSI was 70 and the one-hour PM2.5 concentration was 22 to 41 microgrammes per cubic metre.

The NEA said prevailing winds are forecast to be weak and to blow from the east or southeast tomorrow, and the 24-hour PSI is expected to improve to the moderate range.

Eight hotspots were detected in Sumatra today, and the NEA attributed the low hotspot count to partial satellite pass, when the orbiting satellite’s field of view covers just part of a region of interest. The agency added that widespread haze continues to persist in parts of Sumatra, and some haze spreading westward from Kalimantan was observed over the sea at the far south of Singapore.


Jakarta accepts foreign help to fight raging forest fires
Francis Chan and Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, Straits Times AsiaOne 8 Oct 15;

After weeks of trying to tackle the country's forest fires on its own, Indonesia yesterday welcomed help from abroad, including from Singapore and Russia.

Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in a Facebook post last night: "Had a good discussion this evening with (Indonesia's) Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi who indicated that Indonesia will now take up our offer. Good for our countries to work together to resolve this as soon as possible."

As for the Russian offer of a Beriev Be-200, which can carry up to 37,200kg of water, it came after earlier talks had stalled.

Indonesia has been facing mounting pressure, both at home and abroad, to resolve the transboundary haze crisis, with Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha the latest leader to demand more collective action. Parts of southern Thailand were shrouded by smoke from forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan that has already affected air quality in Singapore and parts of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The haze prompted General Prayut to push for ASEAN-level efforts to tackle the decades-old issue. His call on Wednesday follows that by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Tuesday to do more.

Singapore has repeatedly said it stands ready to help but its offer was turned down until last night. Its assistance included a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) land firefighting team, a C-130 aircraft for cloud seeding and a Chinook helicopter equipped with a water bucket for aerial firefighting.

Yesterday, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended another SCDF team to provide assessment and planning assistance, high-resolution satellite pictures and hot spot coordinates.

Mr Atmadji Sumarkidjo, a close aide of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan, said last night Russia has offered a Beriev Be-200.

As to when the Singapore assets will be deployed, he added: "We are trying to find the right timing... The haze is thick now so they won't be effective."

It is widely recognised that President Joko Widodo's administration is already doing more than any previous government to tackle the latest haze crisis. But the high economic and human costs prompted Indonesian politicians to ask the government to do more, including accepting foreign offers of aid.

Democratic Party spokesman Imelda Sari said: "Indonesia must open up. We do not need to be embarrassed to get assistance from the neighbouring countries. This is part of the ASEAN solidarity."

Mr Mochammad Romahurmuziy, a senior leader in the United Development Party, said that "with help from neighbouring countries, we can solve it (crisis) faster".


Singapore's Foreign Minister Reports Indonesia Accepts Offer of Haze Assistance
Erin Cook Jakarta Globe 7 Oct 15;

Jakarta. Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, on Wednesday evening hinted at a resolution to the stand-off between Indonesia and Singapore over the management of haze from Indonesia choking the city-state.

Taking to his official Facebook, Balakrishnan said recent discussions between his office and his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, had been productive with Indonesia accepting Singapore's assistance.

"We reiterated our haze assistance package, which includes assets, personnel, high-resolution satellite pictures and hotspot coordinates," he said.

The Indonesian government has turned down assistance from Singapore, offered since the crisis began in September, but Balakrishnan is confident the two countries have made a break though.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has submitted a request to the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore to for the names of companies suspected as being responsible for the crisis which has seen schools and businesses close and respiratory related illnesses to spike across the two countries and in to Malaysia.

Singapore has repeatedly said it will prosecute companies within its jurisdiction responsible for the haze, caused by outlawed slash-and-burn practices in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore is yet to respond to the request.

Jakarta accepts foreign help to fight raging forest fires
The Star 8 Oct 15;

SINGAPORE: After weeks of trying to tackle the country's forest fires on its own, Indonesia on Wednesday welcomed help from abroad.

Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in a Facebook post on Wednesday night: "Had a good discussion this evening with (Indonesia's) Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi who indicated that Indonesia will now take up our offer. Good for our countries to work together to resolve this as soon as possible."

As for the Russian offer of a Beriev Be-200, which can carry up to 37,200kg of water, it came after earlier talks had stalled.

Indonesia has been facing mounting pressure, both at home and abroad, to resolve the transboundary haze crisis, with Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha the latest leader to demand more collective action.

Parts of southern Thailand were shrouded by smoke from forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan that has already affected air quality in Singapore and parts of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The haze prompted General Prayut to push for Asean-level efforts to tackle the decades-old issue. His call on Wednesday followed that by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday to do more.

Singapore has repeatedly said it stands ready to help but its offer was turned down until Wednesday night.

Its assistance included a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) land firefighting team, a C-130 aircraft for cloud seeding and a Chinook helicopter equipped with a water bucket for aerial firefighting.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended another SCDF team to provide assessment and planning assistance, high-resolution satellite pictures and hot spot coordinates.

Atmadji Sumarkidjo, a close aide of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan, said Russia had offered a Beriev Be-200.

As to when the Singapore assets will be deployed, he added: "We are trying to find the right timing... The haze is thick now so they won't be effective."

It is widely recognised that President Joko Widodo's administration is already doing more than any previous government to tackle the latest haze crisis. But the high economic and human costs prompted Indonesian politicians to ask the government to do more, including accepting foreign offers of aid.

Democratic Party spokesman Imelda Sari said: "Indonesia must open up. We do not need to be embarrassed to get assistance from the neighbouring countries. This is part of the Asean solidarity."

Mochammad Romahurmuziy, a senior leader in the United Development Party, said that "with help from neighbouring countries, we can solve it (crisis) faster". - The Straits Times/Asia News Network

Indonesia Should Accept Others' Help on Haze, New Diplomat Says
Chris Brummitt Bloomberg 8 Oct 15;

Indonesia should accept help from other countries to put out the forest fires that have covered parts of Southeast Asia with haze, according to the country’s ambassador-designate to the U.K. who also heads a think tank.

Indonesia had turned down offers of help from Singapore and Malaysia, in part because helicopters couldn’t take off due to the smoke. Singapore reiterated its offer of assistance on Wednesday with equipment including a C-130 aircraft for cloud-seeding operations and two similar planes to transport its fire-fighting team. The city-state’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said later that day his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi “indicated that Indonesia will now take up our offer.”

“We should accept the assistance for two reasons,” Rizal Sukma, executive director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said in an interview on Tuesday. “First, it will demonstrate we are all in this together. The second reason is more practical: so everyone understands how difficult it is in putting out these fires.”

Indonesia, which set a deadline two weeks ago to put out the fires, said Monday that it’s difficult to push for a timeline as farmers are still burning to clear land and as weather patterns are unpredictable. President Joko Widodo’s recent trip to Sumatra island for a progress check was cut short as the smoke was so thick his plane couldn’t land, forcing him back to the capital.

Shutting Schools

The haze, exacerbated by dry conditions from El Nino, has blown across Southeast Asia, blanketing Singapore, parts of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in a smog that has shut schools and caused outdoor events to be suspended. In parts of Indonesia, people were forced to flee their homes.

Indonesia has sent soldiers to help fight the blaze and threatened to punish palm oil and other plantation companies that are burning land. Singapore’s largest supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice said Wednesday it will remove from its shelves toilet paper and other products sourced from a company whose suppliers may have been involved in the fires.

“We are not allergic to outside help,” Willem Rampangilei, head of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Authority, said Monday. “We are happy to get offers. But we have to see how much that assistance can actually be deployed.”